The Top 10 Unconventional Brides on the Runway at Chanel: From Pregnant to Same-Sex

With more than three decades at Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld has redefined the French house with his visionary perspective and singular viewpoint on fashion and its global context. This is most evident in the lavish prêt-à-porter and haute couture shows where—unsurprisingly—Lagerfeld never fails to offer a unexpected take on the fashion bride. In celebration of his latest and most daring effort (a pregnant bride, no less!) we pinpoint the top ten unconventional looks to walk off the Chanel runway—and down the aisle—in recent history.

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The New Age Working Woman Bride, Spring 1990

Lagerfeld presented this playful twist on the house’s signature bouclé jacket, pairing it with an ethereal mini. The only thing to make it better? A proper topper sitting on supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

Photo: Bruno Bachelet/Paris Match via Getty Images

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The Garden Variety Bride, Spring 1992

The camelia motif is a Chanel icon and Lagerfeld’s reworking of it onto a shift dress fit for an outdoor ceremony is definitely the best bloom.

Photo: Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

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The Over 40 Bride, Spring 2011 Couture

Defying convention, Lagerfeld chose Kristen McMenamy to close his couture show wearing an embellished top and skirt redefining what it means to be a mature bride.

Photo: Kim Weston Arnold and Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com

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The Marie Antoinette Bride, Resort 2013

Shown in the grand setting of Versailles, Lagerfeld sought to recapture the splendor of the Sun King—and France’s fashionable young queen who came after—with a collection fit for modern-day royalty. The winning look? An off-the-shoulder dress is lent a whimsical touch with sun-ray-like strapping.

Photo: Kim Weston Arnold and Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com

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The Ice Queen Bride, Fall 2012 Couture

Mimicking a snow-capped mountain, this full-skirted confection hints at its many layers of tulle and taffeta wrapped in a perfectly frosted layer of feathers.

Photo: Kim Weston Arnold and Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com

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The Mary, Queen of Scots Bride, Métiers d

Shown at Linlithgow Palace (just west of Edinburgh), Lagerfeld took cues from the monarch (who was also French by marriage) with demi-leg-o’-mutton sleeves and richly embellished fabrics.

Photo: Kim Weston Arnold and Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com

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The Same-Sex Bride, Spring 2013 Couture

Lagerfeld’s spellbinding collection finished with a pair of brides in matching dresses. Double the trouble, double the fun.